Systems and methods for identifying a video aspect-ratio frame attribute

ABSTRACT

Presently disclosed are systems and method for identifying a video aspect-ratio frame attribute of a current frame. One example embodiment takes the form of a frame-processing device including a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause a set of steps to be carried out, the set of steps including: (i) receiving a frame of video from a video source device; (ii) defining a region of the received frame, wherein the region is associated with a plurality of pixels of the received frame; (iii) using a plurality of luma values associated with the plurality of pixels as a basis to identify the received frame as having a particular video aspect-ratio attribute; and (iv) storing in a memory an indication that the received frame has the identified particular video aspect-ratio frame attribute.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/247,605, entitled “Systems and Methods for Identifying a VideoAspect-Ratio Frame Attribute,” filed on Apr. 8, 2014, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/629,495, entitled“Systems and Methods for Identifying a Video Aspect-Ratio FrameAttribute,” filed on Sep. 27, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,731,285), whichclaims priority to (i) U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/542,077, entitled “System and Method for Automated Video ContentTagging,” filed on Sep. 30, 2011 and (ii) U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/542,103, entitled “System and Method for aMaster Controller,” filed on Sep. 30, 2011, all of which are herebyincorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

This application also relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/629,405, entitled “Systems and Methods for Identifying aBlack/Non-Black Frame Attribute,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/629,481, entitled “Systems and Methods for Identifying aColorbar/Non-Colorbar Frame Attribute,” U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/629,446, entitled “Systems and Methods for Identifying aScene-Change/Non-Scene-Change Transition Between Frames,” U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/629,430, entitled “Systems and Methods forIdentifying a Mute/Sound Frame Attribute,” and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/629,497, entitled “Systems and Methods for ElectronicallyTagging a Video Component in a Video Package,” all of which are commonlyassigned to the assignee of the present application, are filedsimultaneously, and are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

USAGE AND TERMINOLOGY

Throughout this application, with respect to all reasonable derivativesof such terms, and unless otherwise specified (and/or unless theparticular context clearly dictates otherwise), each usage of:

-   -   “a” or “an” is meant to read as “at least one.”    -   “the” is meant to be read as “the at least one.”    -   the term “video” refers broadly to any material represented in a        video format (i.e., having a plurality of frames). In some        instances, video may include a plurality of sequential frames        that are identical or nearly identical, and that may give the        impression of a “still” image. Video may also include frames        that merely show a black screen, colorbars, testing data, or        other traditionally non-substantive content. It should be noted        that while non-substantive content may have little or no utility        to a typical viewer, it provides useful information for the        purpose of the techniques described throughout this disclosure.        Video may or may not include an audio portion.    -   the term “video component” (VC) refers to video that one of        ordinary skill in the art would typically consider to be        self-contained, and that is typically separately scheduled by a        scheduling-and-sequencing system (also commonly referred to as a        traffic system) in a broadcasting environment. There are several        types of VCs, including for example a show-segment VC, a barter        VC, and a promotion VC. A show-segment VC consists of at least a        portion of a show, and potentially one or more commercials, all        of which are grouped together and considered as one unit for the        purpose of scheduling-and-sequencing. A show may be, for        example, an episode of a sitcom, a news program, or a movie. A        barter VC consists of one or more commercials, all of which are        grouped together and considered as one unit for the purpose of        scheduling-and-sequencing. A barter VC is a subset of a        show-segment VC, namely the portion including the one or more        commercials. A promotion VC consists of a promotion or        advertisement (e.g., for an associated show).    -   the term “video package” refers to a collection of VCs and other        video, all of which has a logical or other relationship or        association. Typically, the video package includes a plurality        of sequentially ordered VCs that are separated by other video        (e.g., black frames), although the video package may have the        technical appearance of being a single, continuous piece of        video when analyzed using traditional methods. Each video        package includes at least one, and often a group of show-segment        VCs that are intended to be aired during a corresponding        thirty-minute, one-hour, two-hour, or other predefined time        slot. Though not required, a video package is often created by a        show syndicator and provided to a broadcaster.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present systems and methods relate to video analysis and, moreparticularly, to systems and methods for identifying a videoaspect-ratio frame attribute.

BACKGROUND

Video technology relates to electronically capturing, processing,recording, and reconstructing a sequence of still images referred to asframes, so as to represent motion. Video includes a number of framesbased on a predefined frame rate. For example, in the U.S., the AdvancedTelevision Systems Committee (“ATSC”) establishes a standard frame rateof 29.97 frames/second for video used for commercial broadcasting.

For video transmitted via a digital video signal (e.g., based on thehigh definition serial digital interface (HD-SDI) standard), each frameis represented by a number of pixels commonly described as the smallestunit of an image that can be represented or controlled. The number ofpixels in a frame is based on a predefined resolution of the frame(typically defined by a number of columns and rows of pixels). Forexample, a frame having a resolution of 1920 columns and 1080 rows isreferred to as 1920×1080 and is represented by the arithmetic product ofapproximately 2,073,600 pixels. Pixels have many attributes, includingfor example, chrominance values that represent color, and luma values(referred to herein as lumas) that represent brightness. Once capturedand processed, video is typically encoded and recorded as a digitalfile. Thereafter, the file is retrieved and the video is reconstructedby decoding the file.

A frame also has a signal aspect-ratio that defines the proportionalrelationship between the width and height of the frame. Since videoincludes a plurality of frames, video is also referred to as having aparticular signal aspect-ratio (provided the signal aspect-ratio of itsframes is uniform). In one example, a frame having a resolution of1920×1080 has a signal aspect-ratio of 16:9 or ˜1.77:1. This ratio isdefined in the HD-SDI standard. Standard definition signals typicallyhave a signal aspect-ratio of 4:3 or approximately 1.3:1. In addition tohaving a signal aspect-ratio, frames also have a video aspect-ratio thatdefines the aspect-ratio of the video (sometimes referred to as theactive video) in the frame. A difference in the signal and videoaspect-ratios typically results in horizontal or vertical black barsbeing included in the frame to adjust for such differences. Such isoften the case when video is converted from one format to another.

For example, consider video having a 4:3 video aspect-ratio that wasoriginally recorded in a standard definition analog format with a 4:3signal aspect-ratio, and was converted to a high definition digitalformat based on the HD-SDI standard with a 16:9 signal aspect-ratio.While the resulting frames would have a 16:9 signal aspect-ratio (sincethat it what the signal supports), the video aspect-ratio remains at4:3. To make up the difference in these dimensions, vertical black barsare added to the left and right edges of the frames and around thecontent. Similarly, for video having a 16:9 video aspect-ratio that isinitially recorded in a format with a 16:9 signal aspect-ratio, butwhich is then converted to a format with a 4:3 signal aspect-ratio, theresulting frames may have horizontal black bars on the upper and loweredges of the frames and around the content.

When watching video on a display device, users often desire to “correct”the presence of black bars by modifying a display setting on the displaydevice. For example, the display device may provide an option to selecta full, letterbox, horizontal stretch, or pan-and-scan zoom mode,whereby select portions of the video are enlarged or shifted to reduceor eliminate the presence of black bars. While portions of the video maybe lost, often users are willing to accept such a loss to have thescreen “filled.” However, while many users desire to modify such displaysettings, often users are unaware of their availability and/or do nottake the time to modify them, particularly when they need to be changedrepeatedly as the video changes (as, e.g., a user changes channels).

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for identifying a videoaspect-ratio frame attribute that provide several advantages.

One example advantage of the present systems and methods is the abilityto identify a video aspect-ratio frame attribute while minimizing oreliminating false-positive and false-negative results.

Another example advantage of the present systems and methods is theability to identify a video aspect-ratio frame attribute whileminimizing the use of system resources.

Another example advantage of the present systems and methods is theability to identify a video aspect-ratio frame attribute for a pluralityof frames of video while contemporaneously processing each frame tocreate an encoded file, and wherein corresponding steps for each frameare performed during an execution time period that is less than areciprocal of a frame rate of the video.

Another example advantage of the present systems and methods is theability to automatically modify a display setting of a display devicebased on an identified video aspect-ratio frame attribute.

Various embodiments of the present system and method may have none,some, or all of these advantages. Other advantages will be readilyapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

A first example embodiment takes the form of a frame-processing deviceincluding a processor and a non-transitory computer-readable mediumcontaining instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause aset of steps to be carried out, the set of steps including: (i)receiving a frame of video from a video source device; (ii) defining aregion of the received frame, wherein the region is associated with aplurality of pixels of the received frame; (iii) using a plurality ofluma values associated with the plurality of pixels as a basis toidentify the received frame as having a particular video aspect-ratioattribute; and (iv) storing in a memory an indication that the receivedframe has the identified particular video aspect-ratio frame attribute.

A second example embodiment takes the form of a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium containing instructions that, when executed bythe processor, cause performance of a set of steps including: (i)receiving a frame of video from a video source device; (ii) defining aregion of the received frame, wherein the region is associated with aplurality of pixels of the received frame; (iii) using a plurality ofluma values associated with the plurality of pixels as a basis toidentify the received frame as having a particular video aspect-ratioattribute; and (iv) storing in a memory an indication that the receivedframe has the identified particular video aspect-ratio frame attribute.

A third example embodiment takes the form of the method that involves(i) receiving a frame of video from a video source device; (ii) defininga region of the received frame, wherein the region is associated with aplurality of pixels of the received frame; (iii) using a plurality ofluma values associated with the plurality of pixels as a basis toidentify the received frame as having a particular video aspect-ratioattribute; and (iv) storing in a memory an indication that the receivedframe has the identified particular video aspect-ratio frame attribute.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present systems and methods,reference is now made to the following descriptions, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an example of a system in accordance with at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 2A is a first part of a flow chart illustrating an example of amethod in accordance with at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a second part of the flow chart of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 depicts an example of a frame and a region in accordance with atleast one embodiment;

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a luma table in accordance with at leastone embodiment; and

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a graphical representation of the lumatable in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Turning now to FIG. 1, an example system is provided and is generallydesignated 100. Included in the system 100 is a source device 102, aframe-processing device 104, and a destination device 106. Examplesource devices 102 include satellite receivers, decoders, baseband fibertranscoders, DVD players, Internet-delivery-based playout devices (e.g.,Pathfire devices provided by DG FastChannel, Inc. of Irvine, Tex.), andother frame-processing devices. The frame-processing device 104 includesa video input connection 108 and is configured for receiving video viathe video input connection from the source device 102. In oneembodiment, the frame-processing device 104 is configured for receivingraw baseband video based on the HD-SDI standard with a data transferrate in the range of 1.4 Gbps-1.6 Gbps (and typically approximately1.485 Gbps). Throughout this application, unless otherwise stated, alldisclosed ranges are inclusive of the stated bound values. It iscontemplated that the frame-processing device 104 is optionallyconfigured for receiving video based on other standards, including, butnot limited to those defined by the Society of Motion Picture andTelevision Engineers (“SMPTE”) as well as those of the ATSC.

A video output connection 110 on the frame-processing device 104 isconfigured for sending video to a destination device 106 (e.g., forplayout of the video, and that may include the example source devicesprovided above). Further, the frame-processing device 104 includes anon-transitory computer-readable medium 112 and a processor 114. In theframe-processing device 104, the video input connection 108, the videooutput connection 110, the computer-readable medium 112, and theprocessor 114 may all be directly or indirectly electronically connectedwith one another. In the system 100, the video frame-processing device104, the source device 102, and the destination device 106, are alldirectly or indirectly electronically connected (in one embodiment viathe video input connection 108 and the video output connection 110).

The computer-readable medium 112 contains instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor 114, cause a set of steps to be carried outfor identifying a video aspect-ratio frame attribute. Turning now toFIGS. 2A and 2B, a flow chart illustrating the set of steps, and anexample of the present method embodiment, is shown. It is noted that thedescribed steps throughout this application need not be performed in thedisclosed order, although in some embodiments, an order of select stepsis preferred. Also, not all steps need to be performed to achieve thedesired advantages of the presently disclosed system and method, andtherefore not all steps are required.

As discussed above, video includes a plurality of frames, and in oneembodiment the present method is applied to each frame. However, forclarity, the present method will be described with reference to a“current” frame of the video being received from the source device 102(e.g., as the source device plays out the video), and received by theframe-processing device 104 via the video input connection 108. In step200, a current frame of the video is received. As discussed above, aframe is represented as a plurality of pixels, with each pixel having aluma representing a level of brightness within a luma range. The presentmethod analyzes lumas to identify a video aspect-ratio frame attribute.Such an approach reduces the use of system resources, as compared to,for example, the high processing power required to analyze chrominancevalues.

In some embodiments, the luma range may be defined by the video format.For example, 8-bit video may define a luma range of 0-255, while 10-bitvideo may define a luma range of 0-1023. However, in some instances, itmay be desired to modify the defined luma range, such as to excludeso-called super-white and super-black levels that typically are notcaptured when the video is recorded. For example, for 10-bit video, anarrowed luma range of 64-940 may be used. In some embodiments, it maybe desired to modify the defined luma range by using bit-shiftingtechniques. For example, by performing two right bit-shifts on the10-bit video luma range of 0-1023, the luma range is reduced to 0-255.Among other things, this may allow for more efficient processing forcalculations that involve luma values. For the described embodiments,this bit shifted luma range of 0-255 will be referenced (with 0representing no brightness, i.e., completely black, and 255 representingfull brightness, i.e., completely white), but as described above,different ranges are also contemplated and can be used.

In step 202, a region of the current frame is defined. An example of acurrent frame 300 and a corresponding region 302 are shown in FIG. 3(not strictly drawn to scale). While the region 302 optionally includesthe entire current frame 300, in one embodiment, the region 302 definesa lesser portion of the current frame 300. In one embodiment, the region302 is a generally rectangular-shaped portion of the current frame 300and is defined by a left-bound column, a right-bound column, a top-boundrow, and a bottom-bound row. For a current frame 300 having a resolutionof approximately 1920×1080, in one embodiment, the left-bound column isa value in a range 0-20, the right-bound column is a value in a range20-40, the top-bound row is a value in a range 0-200, and thebottom-bound row is a value in a range 880-1080, and in a more specificembodiment, the values are 10, 30, 10, and 1070, respectively (therebydefining a region having a resolution of approximately 20×1060).

For frames having alternative resolutions, the bound ranges and valuesmay be modified as desired and/or appropriate. In some embodiments, suchmodification may include scaling (e.g., proportionally) the rangesand/or values. In other embodiments, it may be desired to increase thesize of the region, while generally maintaining the proximity of theborders of the region to the borders of the frame (since this is wherestatic and noise typically occurs). Indeed, the specific size and shapeof the region may vary to suit the application.

Since the current frame 300 includes lumas associated with each pixel,the corresponding region 302 includes a more defined set of lumas thatare used to generate a luma table. Use of the region 302 helps to filterout portions of the current frame 300 that are likely to be affected bystatic or noise and/or helps to reduce the use of system resources asless lumas need to be analyzed. Notably, static or noise often occursnear the edges, and particularly the left and right edges, of a frame(e.g., as a result of clock heterodyne artifacts resulting from oldtransmission methods). In one embodiment, the region is positioned suchthat it overlays a portion of a left black bar that results from anaspect-ratio conversion (e.g. 4:3 to 16:9 as discussed in the backgroundsection).

In step 204, a luma table is generated that has a luma counter for eachluma in the luma range based on the lumas in the region 302. An exampleluma table 400 for the current frame 300, and a corresponding graphicalrepresentation 500 of the luma table are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5,respectively. To maximize efficiency, in one embodiment, the luma table400 is stored in a register memory (e.g., cache) included on theprocessor 114. Such a configuration greatly improves the speed at whichvalues in the luma table 400 are retrieved, thereby increasing theexecution speed of the present method.

Using the luma table 400, a non-black luma counter is calculated, thatrepresents a count of lumas that exceed a max-black luma threshold. Fora luma range 0-255, in one embodiment the max-black luma threshold is avalue in a range 27-37, and in a more particular embodiment, is 32. Tocalculate the non-black luma counter, it is first initialized (e.g., setto 0), and in step 206, for each luma in the luma range that is greaterthan the max-black luma threshold, a corresponding luma value counter(identified in the luma value table) is added to the non-black lumacounter. In one embodiment, all disclosed threshold values and rangesare predetermined (i.e., before performance of the steps in the presentmethod).

In step 208, a non-black luma percentage of the region 302 is calculatedbased on the non-black luma counter. In one embodiment, the non-blackluma percentage is calculated by dividing the non-black luma counter bya total luma count for the region 302. Notably, the above-describedcalculation need not be performed based on the described strictarithmetic calculation (i.e., calculating the identified percentage maybe achieved using an alternate function). Further, as used herein theterm “percentage” is not limited to a number represented as a fractionof one hundred, but instead refers to any expression of a quantityrelative to another quantity, and may include for example, a ratio.

In step 210, an average luma is calculated based on the lumas in theregion 302. Again, while an arithmetic average calculation may be used,such strictness need not be applied in making such a calculation, andtherefore alternate functions can be used.

In step 212, the current frame is identified as having a “standard”video aspect-ratio frame attribute responsive to every condition in acondition set being satisfied. One condition—referred to here as apre-condition, and noted as such using the number “(0)” and italiclettering—that can optionally first be tested is that the frame is not“black” (e.g., that the frame has a non-black attribute). Such adetermination can be made using at least one technique described in thecross-referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/629,405, howeverother techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art can also beemployed. By testing this pre-condition, frames can be dropped fromconsideration if they are known to be black, and therefore, could notand would not have black bars surrounding content.

The first condition in the condition set is that the average luma (ofthe region 302) is less than the max-black luma threshold. This firstcondition ensures that the region 302 is, on average, sufficientlyblack. Testing this condition is likely to result in dropping manyframes from consideration that have a non-standard (e.g., widescreen)video aspect-ratio. Indeed, such frames likely have content filling atleast a portion of the region 302, which in most instances will causethe first condition not to be satisfied. The exception is where contentis included in the region, but wherein that content is generally dark(i.e., causing a low average luma), such as a gray moon on a blackbackground. However, such frames are addressed by the second conditionas discussed below.

The second condition is that the non-black luma percentage (of theregion 302) is less than a non-black luma percentage threshold, that forhigh definition frames is in one embodiment a value in a range 0.8-2.2%,and in a more particular embodiment, is approximately 1.0% or 2.0% (thedetermination of an appropriate value is discussed in greater detailbelow). This condition assists in dropping frames from considerationthat, despite satisfying the first condition (and the pre-condition, iftested), contain content in the region 302, and therefore do not have astandard video aspect-ratio frame attribute. For example, consider theexample frame described above, namely where the frame shows a gray moonon a black background. While the average luma of the frame may be low,the gray portions of the moon are likely to be deemed non-black (i.e.,since the corresponding lumas exceed the max-black luma threshold) andare likely to represent a substantial enough percentage of the framesuch that the percentage is greater than the non-black luma percentagethreshold. Therefore, this example frame fails to satisfy the secondcondition, and is therefore identified as having a non-standard videoaspect ratio frame attribute.

Notably, the non-black luma percentage threshold as discussed above isin one embodiment set based on characteristics of the video. Forexample, select video, such as that typically represented in a highdefinition format (e.g., 1920×1080), is less likely to have experiencedformat conversions or other modifications and therefore is less likelyto have static or noise. As such, the non-black luma percentagethreshold is in one embodiment lower (resulting in a strictertolerance), such as approximately 1.0%. For video that likelyencountered format conversions or other modifications and/or that has arelatively lower resolution, such as that represented in a standarddefinition frame (e.g., 640×480), the non-black luma percentagethreshold is in one embodiment higher, such as approximately 2.0% toloosen the tolerance and allow for the additional static or noise.

To maximize efficiency, in one embodiment, short circuiting logictechniques are employed when testing the above-described conditions. Assuch, if one condition is not satisfied, the remaining conditions arenot tested and the video aspect-ratio frame attribute is identifiedaccordingly. In one embodiment, the three conditions (the pre-conditionand the first and second conditions) are tested in the order recited,although notably such an order is not required. In step 214, theassociated video aspect-ratio attribute in stored in a memory (e.g., inthe computer-readable medium 112), among other things, for laterretrieval and use by other applications.

Notably, in select embodiments, a second region may also be defined,that in one embodiment, is positioned on the opposite side of the frame(i.e., to potentially identify a right vertical black bar). An exampleof a second region 304 is shown in FIG. 3 (not strictly drawn to scale).In one embodiment, the second region 304 is a generallyrectangular-shaped portion of the current frame 300 and is defined by aleft-bound column, a right-bound column, a top-bound row, and abottom-bound row. For a current frame 300 having a resolution ofapproximately 1920×1080, in one embodiment, the left-bound column is avalue in a range 1880-1900, the right-bound column is a value in a range1900-1920, the top-bound row is a value in a range 0-200, and thebottom-bound row is a value in a range 880-1080, and in a moreparticular embodiment, the values are 1890, 1910, 10, and 1070,respectively (thereby defining a region having a resolution ofapproximately 20×1060).

In alternate embodiments, the above-described steps are performed basedon the second region 304 as described above. Further, depending on thedesired configuration, analysis of the two regions 302, 304 may becombined, thereby requiring that the identifying step 212 satisfy therecited conditions with respect to both regions. Alternatively, it iscontemplated that one or more regions also be defined in an upper orlower portion of the frame 300 (e.g., regions with short heights andrelatively long widths) for use with identifying horizontal black bars(e.g., resulting from a frame having a signal aspect-ratio of 4:3, butwith a video aspect-ratio of 16:9). In such instances, it may be desiredto have the video aspect-ratio of the identified as “widescreen.”

It should be noted that while specific regions have been discussed,together with specific video aspect radio attributes being identified(e.g., standard, non-standard, and widescreen), other regions andidentifiers could be used depending on the desired configuration. Forexample, regions may be configured to identify many different videoaspect-ratios (e.g., 3:2, 8:5, 1.618:1, 1.66, 1.85:1, and 2.39:1) withcorresponding video aspect-radio attribute identifiers. In oneembodiment, the video aspect-ratio identifiers are predetermined andbased on a size and position of the region 302. (e.g., “standard” isused when the region 302 is configured to determine that the frame has aleft black bar).

Also, for frames having alternative resolutions, the bound ranges andvalues may be modified as desired and/or appropriate. In someembodiments, such modification may include scaling (e.g.,proportionally) the ranges and/or values. In other embodiments, it maybe desired to increase the size of the region, while generallymaintaining the proximity of the borders of the region to the borders ofthe frame (since this is where static and noise typically occurs).Indeed, the specific size and shape of the region may vary to suit theapplication.

In one embodiment, the steps of the present method are performed on eachframe of baseband video as it is received across the video inputconnection 108 in real time or near real time. Such a configurationprovides for performing the above-described steps whilecontemporaneously processing each frame to create an encoded filerepresenting the video. Notably, when processing frames in real-time ornear real-time (e.g., through use of a frame buffer), there is aninherent limitation in that above-described steps applied to a currentframe must be performed during an execution time period that is lessthan a reciprocal of the frame rate of the video (e.g., the steps of thepresent method must be performed within 1/29.97 seconds for video havinga frame rate of 29.97 frames per second). Such time constraints presentconsiderable challenges, particularly when the video is beingtransferred at a high data rate as the amount of data and the complexityof the calculations carried out by the processor 114 increase. However,due at least in part to the various optimization techniques as describedthroughout this disclosure, the steps of the present method are capableof being performed within limited time constraints and/or with a reduceduse of system resources.

Notably, a frame-attribute table (or other data structure such as alinked list) may be used to store the indication of the associated videoaspect-ratio attribute in a memory as described above. As such, in oneembodiment, a table may store such indications for all frames of a videopackage. Further, a separate frame-transition table may also begenerated that indicates attribute changes or transitions between frames(e.g. the transition from a frame A having a widescreen aspect-ratioattribute to a frame B having a standard video aspect-ratio attributemay be indicated as a from-widescreen transition).

As one example of the efficiency of the present method, testing showsthat the steps of the present method are capable of being performedcontemporaneously while processing each frame for video based on theHD-SDI standard (i.e., having a transfer rate of approximately 1.485Gbps and a frame rate of 29.97 frames per second) using a quad-coreprocessor, with each core having a speed of 2 GHz (e.g., a Xeon E5405processor provided by Intel® of Santa Clara, Calif.).

One particularly beneficial application of the present system and methodis for use with systems and methods for electronically tagging a VC in avideo package as described in the cross-referenced U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/629,497. As discussed therein, the ability toidentify a video aspect-ratio frame attribute with minimal processingpower is particularly advantageous as select embodiments of thedisclosed systems and methods for electronically tagging a VC in a videopackage rely on not only the identification of video aspect-ratio frameattributes, but also on the identification of several other frameattributes, that when combined, are restricted by the frame rate timeconstraints as described above.

Notably, in alternative embodiments, video may also be obtained bydecompressing and/or decoding an encoded file such may be stored on thecomputer-readable medium 112, or stored on the source device 102. Inaddition, in alternate embodiments, the steps of the present method maybe performed on each frame after baseband video is received from a videoinput connection 108 and processed and/or stored.

Another beneficial application of the present systems and methods is foruse with a frame-processing device that also includes or is coupled to adisplay device, and is configured for (e.g., the set further includesthe steps of) automatically modifying a display setting based on anidentified video aspect-ratio frame attribute. For example, if thedisplay device identifies a threshold count of consecutive frames havinga video aspect-ratio frame attribute identified as “standard,” thedisplay device may automatically modify the display setting of thedisplay device to horizontal stretch. It is further contemplated that auser may configure the display device to automatically modify displaysetting based on identified video aspect-ratio according to customizedpreferences.

Although the present systems and methods have been described in terms ofselect embodiments, alterations and permutations of these embodimentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the abovedescription of example embodiments does not define or constrain thepresent systems and methods.

In particular, it is noted that while some specific embodiments havebeen described using particular applied algorithms, the present systemsand methods should not be construed as being limited to those particularimplementations. For example, descriptions of iterative techniques canbe implemented using recursive techniques, and vice-versa. Further,serial and parallel implementations can be interchanged. Similarly, itis contemplated that the use of logical structures including loops andcondition statements can be modified, interchanged, or restrictedwithout departing from the present system and method. Finally, it iscontemplated that alternative data structure and storage techniques maybe employed in implementing the techniques employed in the presentsystems and methods (e.g., data stored in a table may instead be storedin a linked-list, tree, or other data structure). Other changes,substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing fromthe presently disclosed system and method in its broader aspects as setforth in the following claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving a frame ofvideo; defining a region of the received frame, wherein the region isassociated with a plurality of pixels of the received frame; using aplurality of luma values associated with the plurality of pixels as abasis to identify the received frame as having a particular videoaspect-ratio attribute; and modifying a display setting of a displaydevice based on identifying the received frame as having the particularvideo aspect-ratio attribute.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein usingthe plurality of luma values associated with the plurality of pixels asthe basis to identify the received frame as having the particular videoaspect-ratio attribute comprises identifying the received frame ashaving the particular video aspect-ratio attribute responsive to everycondition in a condition set being satisfied.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein using the plurality of luma values associated with the pluralityof pixels of the received frame as the basis to identify the receivedframe as having the particular video aspect-ratio attribute furthercomprises (i) calculating a non-black luma value percentage of theplurality of luma values, and (ii) calculating an average luma value ofthe region based on the plurality of luma values; and wherein thecondition set comprises first and second conditions, the first conditionbeing that the average luma value is less than a max-black luma valuethreshold, and the second condition being that the non-black luma valuepercentage is less than a non-black luma value percentage threshold. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the frame of video comprisesreceiving, via an video input connection, the frame of video from avideo source device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the region isdefined by a left-bound column, a right-bound column, a top-bound row,and a bottom-bound row.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the receivedframe has a row count of 1080 and a column count of 1920, both defininga resolution of the received frame, and wherein the left-bound column isa value in a range 0-20, the right-bound column is a value in a range20-40, the top-bound row is a value in a range 0-200, and thebottom-bound row is a value in a range 880-1080.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein each luma value of the plurality of luma values is in a rangeof 0-255.
 8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containinginstructions that, when executed by a processor, cause performance of aset of steps comprising: receiving a frame of video; defining a regionof the received frame, wherein the region is associated with a pluralityof pixels of the received frame; using a plurality of luma valuesassociated with the plurality of pixels as a basis to identify thereceived frame as having a particular video aspect-ratio attribute; andmodifying a display setting of a display device based on identifying thereceived frame as having the particular video aspect-ratio attribute. 9.The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein usingthe plurality of luma values associated with the plurality of pixels asthe basis to identify the received frame as having the particular videoaspect-ratio attribute comprises identifying the received frame ashaving the particular video aspect-ratio attribute responsive to everycondition in a condition set being satisfied.
 10. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein using the plurality of lumavalues associated with the plurality of pixels of the received frame asthe basis to identify the received frame as having the particular videoaspect-ratio attribute further comprises (i) calculating a non-blackluma value percentage of the plurality of luma values, and (ii)calculating an average luma value of the region based on the pluralityof luma values; and wherein the condition set comprises first and secondconditions, the first condition being that the average luma value isless than a max-black luma value threshold, and the second conditionbeing that the non-black luma value percentage is less than a non-blackluma value percentage threshold.
 11. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein receiving the frame ofvideo comprises receiving, via an video input connection, the frame ofvideo from a video source device.
 12. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the region is defined by aleft-bound column, a right-bound column, a top-bound row, and abottom-bound row.
 13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 12, wherein the received frame has a row count of 1080 and acolumn count of 1920, both defining a resolution of the received frame,and wherein the left-bound column is a value in a range 0-20, theright-bound column is a value in a range 20-40, the top-bound row is avalue in a range 0-200, and the bottom-bound row is a value in a range880-1080.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8,wherein each luma value of the plurality of luma values is in a range of0-255.
 15. A method comprising: receiving a frame of video; defining aregion of the received frame, wherein the region is associated with aplurality of pixels of the received frame; generating a luma table basedon a plurality of luma values associated with the plurality of pixels;and storing in a memory the generated luma table; and using thegenerated luma table as a basis to identify the received frame as havinga particular video aspect-ratio attribute.
 16. The method of claim 15,further comprising: modifying a display setting of a display devicebased on identifying the received frame as having the particular videoaspect-ratio attribute.
 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:storing in a memory an indication that the received frame has theidentified particular video aspect-ratio attribute.
 18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the region is defined by a left-bound column, aright-bound column, a top-bound row, and a bottom-bound row.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the received frame has a row count of 1080and a column count of 1920, both defining a resolution of the receivedframe, and wherein the left-bound column is a value in a range 0-20, theright-bound column is a value in a range 20-40, the top-bound row is avalue in a range 0-200, and the bottom-bound row is a value in a range880-1080.